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In some versions of the firmware, the external gain setting is persistent (as it should be), but it's not reset before a self-test. This was corrected in later versions.
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Try resetting the external gain to 0 and rerun the self-test...
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I was caught by this several times myself...
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5W with 40db of attenuation is still -3dBm, far, far, too much to do any sensible measurements, even if you do not damage the unit!! You need at least another 20dB of attenuation to get things into the range where good measurements can be made. 73 Jeff G8HUL ________________________________________ From: [email protected] < [email protected]> on behalf of PT via groups.io <paultwa00@...> Sent: 13 January 2025 06:54 To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [tinysa] What to do when a selftest fails More info since I looked at my notes - ref post 19061 above Unit came with 177 firmware installed. I put 185 then 189 on it. Unit worked for a month or so no issues, no errors, calibrated fine. Now I find the self test errors as above Used a 40db attenuator on it and attached a 5W output radio to it. Perhaps I took out U22 ? With the 40W attenuation and 5W it 'should' have been fine, no?
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More info since I looked at my notes - ref post 19061 above
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Unit came with 177 firmware installed.? I put 185 then 189 on it.
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Unit worked for a month or so no issues, no errors, calibrated fine.
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Now I find the self test errors as above
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Used a 40db attenuator on it and attached a 5W output radio to it.
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Perhaps I took out U22 ?? With the 40W attenuation and 5W it 'should' have been fine, no?
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Purchased on Amazon SeeSii store
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Came with v1.4-185. Updated firmware.
Fails using both 189 and newest 193
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Failed tests are 10, 13 and 14
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Did a Config Reset
30M Attenuator test
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Hi.
I replaced U22 with an AS179-92LF that I received from Digikey yesterday.
My TinySA Ultra is now capable of calibration and passes all self-tests.
I would like to thank Erik and everyone who gave me advice.
I hope that 2025 will be a good year for everyone.
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Hi everyone,
I disassembled the device and successfully replaced U22 with AS179-92LF.
My device now passes all self-tests and calibration.
While disassembling, I broke the 4-pin battery connector (2 pins +, 2 pins -).
I removed the remnants of the connector with hot air and soldered the wires directly onto the pads.
Thanks to everyone, and good luck troubleshooting.?
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Then only replacing the microcircuit will help you, and you can describe in more detail after which a malfunction occurred so that others do not make such a mistake.
Thank you for your advice.
I tried resetting, replacing the cable, and cleaning the SMA connector, but unfortunately I got the same result.
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Thank you for your advice.
I tried resetting, replacing the cable, and cleaning the SMA connector, but unfortunately I got the same result.
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Yes, this does look like a broken switch
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 01:23 AM, Erik Kaashoek wrote:
Hi everyone,
My is failing self-test #14. I use it all the time to coordinate microphones, intercoms, and walkie-talkies.
Here’s what I’ve tried:
- Reset config (CODE #1234)
- Switched between two provided SMA cables.
- Updated firmware (1.4910).
- Checked the attenuator ().
- Read troubleshooting tips from Erik and Lukas.
I’m considering replacing U22 with an XA17-G4K or AS179-92LF. Does that sound like the right approach?
Thanks!
Best
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reset the device, make sure the wires are connected securely, and repeat the calibration procedure. I had a problem like yours, it turned out to be a bad contact in the SMA.
Don't rush to buy spare parts, check the connection, take another wire.
Thank you, Erik.
I'll try to buy an XA17-G4K (or AS179-92LF if that's not available) and replace U22 under the shield.
It looks difficult for my aging eyes, though :-)
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Don't rush to buy spare parts, check the connection, take another wire.
Thank you, Erik.
I'll try to buy an XA17-G4K (or AS179-92LF if that's not available) and replace U22 under the shield.
It looks difficult for my aging eyes, though :-)
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Thank you, Erik.
I'll try to buy an XA17-G4K (or AS179-92LF if that's not available) and replace U22 under the shield.
It looks difficult for my aging eyes, though :-)
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Looks like the input switch is broken
See wiki FAQ for replacing the switch
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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I recently discovered that my TinySA Ultra fails self test No. 14. As you can see in the attached photo, it displays “Signal level Critical”. Another photo shows it failing Level calibration (100kHz to 5.327GHz) with the output “Signal level incorrect”.
I purchased this device from the Zeenko Store in January this year, and I remember that it did not have these problems at least when I purchased it.
The screenshots show the results using the latest firmware (v1.4-189) at the time of writing. I have tried several previous versions, including the version (v1.4-142) I purchased, and I have obtained the same results in all cases. I have executed CLEAR CONFIG before each test. I have also tried several other SMA cables, but the results were the same.
Apart from the above issues, the device seems to be working fine. However, it seems difficult to use it for serious measurements because it cannot be calibrated. I would be grateful if you could tell me how to deal with this.   
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There is a simpler way to test
See:
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--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Hi Erik,
? yeah .. the test 13 ( attenuator test ) failed too. One of the photos I posted yesterday shows it.
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My specialization is completely different and all my experiences with all this are just 2 days since I upgraded the firmware.
So I wasn't able to fully understand the attenuator/linearity test. Because it shows a flat green line even though the attenuator selft-test failed.
I don't know what the green line represents. Is it the signal level?
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But what I've found out mentioned somewhere is that TinySA should compensate selected internal attenuation and in this case always shows the actual level of signal on the display. So user doesn't need to do recalculation manually.
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So we connected High/Cal and Low/RF connector by supplied SMA cable.
Started CAL 30Mhz generator.
Configured Freq - Center 30Mhz, Span 1Mhz
We could see 30Mhz signal with peak at around -35,6dBm
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And manually configured all the basic attenuation levels ( PE4312, DS says 0,5 ; 1; 2 ; 4; 8; 16dB ).
Step is 1dB, so we weren't able to set 0.5dB.
For every attenuation level the signal level was within +-1dBm
For 2dB attenuation the signal level was -34,7dBm? ( within specs but not as good as other attenuation levels )
For 8dB attenuation the signal level was -30,5dBm? ( outside specs )
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Is this? the meaningful way how to test it?
Could this indicate the attenuator is also damaged?
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Thank you
Lukas
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Hi Cor,
?Ah, yeah, you know ..relatives, family, parents, what else can we do? :-) We should help each other. Even though this time it didn't turn out well.
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Yes, the device is still under warranty. I got the information it was bought at the beginning of 2024.
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Sure, we need to diagnose it thoroughly/find out what's wrong and then to decide what to do next.
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Thank you
Lukas
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On Sat, Dec 14, 2024 at 03:14 PM, Lukas wrote:
Could there be anything else damaged? Like the protection diode,? the capacitor or the attenuator?
If the attenuator test in the selftest succeeds then all of the above should be OK
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Hi Lukas,
Very nice that you are helping your father! Does the device still have warranty??
Otherwise, it might be worth posting your location. There might be a fellow electronics engineer or ham living nearby that might be willing to help you out. SC88 is small but not so small that it cannot be repaired with some experience.?
Best of luck!?
Cor/ PA3COR ?
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Takuo Watanabe